Real Madrid Transfer News: Seung-Woo Lee Raid Eyed, Latest Sami Khedira Rumours

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been battling it out for the world’s finest young players for generations, and according to reports, the two juggernauts of the Spanish game could be poised to scuffle for the services of Seung-Woo Lee.

Lee is a crown jewel of the La Masia youth system for the Blaugrana, but according to Marca (h/t Tom Conn of Insider Spanish Football), the South Korean could opt for a move to Real Madrid. Conn elaborates in his piece on the reasons why Lee could switch allegiances:

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Seung Woo Lee is one of the most promising player’s in Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth system and also happens to be one of the reasons why Barcelona were banned for two transfer windows, which has also banned Lee from playing for the past year and could lead him to leave the club and join Barca’s arch rivals, Real Madrid.

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The report goes on to state that since Lee is only able to play in friendlies and international games with South Korea, he could be easily persuaded to join Real Madrid to get more playing time in his formative years.

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Here’s a look at why Los Blancos are reportedly chasing the 17-year-old starlet:

The move would certainly be in keeping with the European champions’ new-found willingness to invest in the game’s finest newcomers. In the midseason window, they announced the signings of Martin Odegaard and Lucas Silva, suggesting there may be an emphasis on getting classy young players involved in the first team.

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Lee is a player who certainly has the talent to make the grade at Madrid, and although his playing time at Barcelona will be limited until he turns 18 in January, per the aforementioned piece, it’s difficult to see him switching allegiances at this juncture.

Indeed, the report has been widely discredited, per Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez:

In terms of senior personnel, Madrid didn’t add any players who can make an immediate impression in the first team at the Santiago Bernabeu. But they could be on the lookout for a new midfielder in the summer, with reports suggesting that Sami Khedira could well be on his way out of the club, per Bleacher Report’s Spanish football expert Guillem Balague:

As noted by Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star, Balague also told Sky Sports that a clutch of English teams have been in touch with Khedira regarding a deal but have been put off by his wage demands. Indeed, these latest revelations look set to dash the hope of Arsenal and Chelsea, who were both apparently keen on the German star, per Turrell’s piece.

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Here’s a look at what kind of qualities Khedira could offer Bayern should a deal be struck:

On the face of things, the move to Bayern isn’t one that makes a lot of sense. Of course, Khedira is a superb midfielder and a player who has many qualities, but technical ability, sharp passing and intricacy on the ball are not some of them. With that in mind, it’s difficult to see a manager like Pep Guardiola being that keen on getting him on board.

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At first glance, Khedira’s array of attributes make him much more suited to the Premier League. A move to either of the aforementioned English teams would surely see his index of skills better utilised than at the Allianz Arena, where he’d vie for a starting spot in a technique-based system amidst a host of polished midfield men.